Judgment Cometh: and That Right Soon (Joe Dillard Series) Paperback – June 16, 2016

Quick OverviewI haven’t read any of the previous seven books in this series. Just as I did with Warrior King by Evan Currie, I wanted to read this without reading the previous books so I could determine its suitability as a stand-alone read. Skimming over the reviews and current sales rankings of the other seven, I also was eager to read this. So, how did the author do? Welcome to my reading room as I explain what works, what doesn’t, and for whom I think this novel works best…Length: Print, 274 pages; Audible, not available yet, but I expect it to be in the future. This could even be made into an episode of Criminal Minds or NCIS.Q - Target Audience/Genre and is it marketed as Nonfiction or Fiction:A – This is a Crime Fiction Suspense novel.Q - How was this book obtained?A – Purchased during pre-order stage.Q – If this is fiction, is it a plot-driven or a character-driven story?A – Plot-driven.Q - Is this a book that I can read without having to read others first?A – Yes. I did. But I will order the earlier books and devout them.Q – If this is a recurring character or a series, does it have a cliffhanger ending?A – No cliffhanger ending.Q - Are there a lot of typos/misspellings, grammatical errors or other editing failures?A – No, the editing is very good.Q - Is this a fast, easy read or is it more of a leisure read?A – This is a fast-read for 274 pages.Q - What sort of language does this writer use to amplify the points made?A – Although there is some mildly foul language (words that describe one’s posterior and waste products from the body’s exit points, there are no f-bombs.Q – What age group is this suitable for?A – If this were a film it would probably be rated PG for language.Q - Is there sex, and is it graphic?A – Sex, of a sort, is alluded to but to say more might be a spoiler.Q – Is there violence and is the violence graphic?A – There is some violence but not especially graphic.Q - My biggest pleasure or disappointment?A – No disappointments at all. A superb tale. Would be a great episode on Criminal Minds.One nice feature is that, just as so many other good stories, this mostly first-person narrative weaves two basic stories together to give us a tale that is not at all unlike real life. I was a bit skeptical that this novel would live up to the potential evident in the prologue, but I was wrong.To give a feel for the editing, and the style and flow of this work, I am posting a brief excerpt below.ExcerptDavid Craig looked at me like a man who had just been hit by an idea that changed his entire understanding of the world.“You have clothes at the jail,” I said. “Your wallet.”“Will you get them for me?”“I don’t think the jail would be the safest place for me right now. We’ll send your brother. Need a ride home?”“Yes. Would you mind?”I turned to Jack, who had just witnessed his old man pull off something nearly unheard of. He was looking at me with a mixture of admiration and confusion.“Jack, do you know where the county clerk’s office is downstairs?” I said.“Yeah, I think so,” he said.“There’s a door that leads to a basement that leads to another door that opens onto the street out back. I want you to tell the clerk you’re my son and you’d like to use the back door. She’ll let you do it. Head for the truck, bring it, and we’ll hit the door running. We should be able to avoid dealing with the hyenas that way.”Jack got up and walked out the back of the courtroom. A couple of minutes later, I ushered David Craig out the same door, down a back hall to a set of stairs at the back of the courthouse. We descended the stairs and entered the county clerk’s office.“Hi Gladys,” I said, “Can we use the escape hatch?” “By all means.” Gladys looked like Dana Carvey’s church lady character on Saturday Night Live. “Your son already…Pratt, Scott. Judgment Cometh: (And That Right Soon) (Joe Dillard Series Book 8) (Kindle Locations 1487-1500). Phoenix Flying, Inc.. Kindle Edition.Bottom Line:This is a terrific stand alone with no cliffhanger ending. I am certainly going to read the earlier books.Five stars out of five. This could well be the best crime fiction suspense that I’ve read this year.Comments regarding your opinion of this book or of my review, whether favorable or unfavorable, are always welcome. If you buy the book based on my review and become disappointed, especially, I do want to know that and I want to understand how I can improve as a book reviewer. Just please be polite.Thank you.

There are enough reviews that I need not rehash the storyline. But, I will say Pratt has an amazing mind in which he develops plots that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. This was not my favorite Pratt novel as I much prefer courtroom drama instead of blood, guts and gore. While this is a genuinely intriguing read, it is not without its flaws. We can stretch our imaginations to fit the cruelty and sheer horror that permeates the bad guys. However, the likelihood of this type of deranged individual still operating with 2 personalities and having no one suspect him of evil is unlikely. Also, the finish was polished off much too easily and it is unlikely that our protagonist, Joe Dillard, an astute lawyer and ex-soldier would undertake the act of bringing a psycho-killer to justice alone is highly suspect. That he should succeed is even more unlikely. But for Pratt fans of this series, Joe is not perfect, and we have come to rely on Dillard to solve the puzzle and do away with the bad guys.This was an easy fast paced read--but beware there is a lot of dementia, heartache, lurid acts of sex and murder, and downright disturbing characters flitting throughout the pages of this novel. While somewhat suspenseful and certainly a mind bender, I don't think this is Pratt at his best. I like a more well thought out book full of courtroom suspense and more plot twists so evident in other Pratt novels. Few authors conquer courtroom drama because its so much easier to write books like this one. As we lost other great suspense writers to easily thrown together plots without much depth, I hope Pratt will rethink his approach and go back to the well researched in-depth writing that drew to him so many loyal fans. Though we eagerly await his next novel I hope Scott Pratt will slow down and return to his former glory. Still, I remain a loyal reader and hope Pratt doesn't settle into a Grishamesques attitude expecting all readers to blindly follow him forth. I would wait a little longer for his next novel and have it well thought through and written. It will soon be time to retire Joe and I look forward to other protagonists with warts who nevertheless capture our hearts and souls. Keep em coming, Scott Pratt.....

I thourghly enjoyed this story and couldn't wait to see what happened next. Well written and keeps you wanting to see what happens next.

Held my interest page after page. I’ve read thi entire series & each book was great. Do yourself a favor & start reading them.

Another good plot in the Joe Dillard series of books. The supporting characters continue to evolve from one book to the next. While each book is a stand-alone story, you can enjoy following the cast of characters and watch their lives unfold if you read the whole series.

Have discovered the Scott Pratt novels that are a brilliant read.Start at the beginning (An Innocent Client and read them all.

I love the entire series of Joe Dillard books, great characters, nice plot and engrossing storytelling. Can’t wait to read the next one.

Great novels? Crime well told but also a sense of family and humanity. Reading these novels you feel part of Joe Dillard's family so you root for Joe Dillard all the way through I've never read much crime but Scott Pratt's novels converted me. Great characterisation, absolutely believable cast, great storylines in each novel; you can read one or all and the satisfaction is there. Cant recommend the Joe Dillard series of novels highly enough, do read them..!

Well in the vein of the first 7 books in the Joe Dillard series. It's not only about one case the main character has to deal with like in most thrillers. Joe also has a life, which makes it very easy to identify with him. Scott Pratt plays in the same league as John Grisham and Mark Gimenez. I think some Lee Child's fans could be interested too.